2 replies to this topic

[allardjd]

Back to Basics – Engine Controls
by John Allard


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Back to Basics is a regular monthly feature in the Ocala Flight Sim Club newsletter, the Gosport. B2B first appeared in the April 2011 issue and is ongoing. This article is from that series, re-posted here.
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I was recently asked by a member about how to control a single engine in a multi-engine AC in Flight Simulator. Though I thought I knew the answer off the top of my head, for once I went looking for it in the FS Help information and it turned out to be rather difficult to find, though it is in fact documented if you can sniff it out.

To save you the trouble, here are the words from the MSFS Help article on the topic...

Flying an aircraft with more than one engine? You can adjust each engine's controls individually. Select an engine by pressing E + the engine number (1 through 4). Then manipulate the control using the mouse or key commands. To revert back to controlling all engines, press E + all the engine numbers in quick succession (E + 1, E + 2, and so on).

That captures it essentially, though there's a little more. First, note that the “+” is not part of the key sequence. To control Engine #1, simply press “E1”, not “E + 1”. Simple enough, and you probably already had that figured out.

The other clarification I have concerns the last part, where they say press, E + 1, E + 2, etc. It's not necessary to do all of that. If you're in a four-engine AC and have been fooling with one engine and wish to return to controlling all four, simply press the key sequence “E1234” - you don't need to repeat the “E” for each engine.

Obviously this is not a particularly handy way to switch around engine controls quickly. It's not going to permit you to use differential power when taxiing the DC-3 or anything fancy like that. If you wish, however, to simulate mag checks one engine at a time or to throttle one back to simulate loss of an engine without actually shutting it down, or something similar, this will give you a way to do it.

Nothing beats separate controls for each engine but this is a basics column, after all and this is what MS provided for us. It may not be particularly convenient, but it works.

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This regular monthly feature will focus on some of the more basic topics of Flight Sim flying. Suggestions for topics are appreciated – e-mail John Allard at allardjd@earthlink.net
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[mutley]

Hi John,
I am lucky in not having to fumble with keys having a throttle quadrant but this makes interesting reading
One thing I would like your view on is mixture control ie at altitude and in dry or dense air.
Cheers,
Joe

[SEATAC]

A slight correction based on my experience. To return to controlling all engines, all you need to do is press 'E'. No need for the numbers.

"E1" swtiches to engine 1. "E2" switches to engine 2, etc.
Pressing 'E' returns all engines to the control.